South Africans Protest Femicide After Nine Women Found Dead Near Johannesburg
- South Africans are holding memorial runs, vigils, and protests after police discovered the bodies of nine women in Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, over a two-month period.
- Authorities are actively investigating whether the deaths of the nine women are connected, though police have not confirmed the presence of a serial killer.
- Citizens have responded to the killings with widespread demonstrations, echoing prior national movements such as the 2018 protests and the demonstrations following the killing of university student Uyinene...
South Africans are holding memorial runs, vigils, and protests after police discovered the bodies of nine women in Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, over a two-month period. The killings have reignited national outrage over gender-based violence in the country, where activists and citizens are demanding immediate systemic reform and better protection for women.
Police Investigations and Case Details
Authorities are actively investigating whether the deaths of the nine women are connected, though police have not confirmed the presence of a serial killer. Most of the victims discovered in Ekurhuleni were in their 20s and 30s. Some of the bodies were found partially unclothed and displayed signs of sexual assault. The grim discoveries have brought renewed attention to South Africa’s high rates of violent crime and an under-resourced police apparatus. Only about one in 10 murders is ever solved in the country. Merlize Jogiat of the advocacy group Women for Change noted that increased police presence in the area was the primary reason the victims were found, emphasizing that the threat of violence remains a nationwide crisis.
Community Outcry and Memorial Events
Citizens have responded to the killings with widespread demonstrations, echoing prior national movements such as the 2018 protests and the demonstrations following the killing of university student Uyinene Mrwetyana. On Saturday, participants dressed in black gathered in Johannesburg for a memorial run honoring 38-year-old Elizabeth Moselakgomo, who disappeared after leaving home for a run and was found dead days later. Runners lit candles and carried a banner reading, Enough. Stop Femicide.
Additional vigils and protests took place throughout the week, including an event in Cape Town where students and activists called for stronger state action. Lerato Lentsela, a participant in the Johannesburg memorial run, expressed the pervasive fear felt by many residents, saying, We are here because we’ve lost a runner. But we are not safe anywhere.
She added that women feel unsafe exercising, visiting post offices, going on dates, or using rideshare services like Uber.
Official Responses and Demands for Systemic Change
The wave of killings has intensified scrutiny of the government’s approach to gender-based violence, which was officially declared a national disaster in 2025. President Cyril Ramaphosa stated on Thursday that South Africa cannot allow itself to grow accustomed to such violence and pledged that investigators would leave no stone unturned.
Advocacy organizations argue that government promises have failed to translate into tangible safety. The Uyinene Mrwetyana Foundation issued a statement emphasizing that women deserve to exist without fear. Meanwhile, groups like Women for Change have pushed back against police guidance advising women to take extra precautions while walking or exercising alone. In a social media statement, the organization stated, Stop placing the responsibility of our safety back onto us. Women should not have to organise their entire lives around surviving violence and not being next.
Protesters continue to demand broader structural changes to ensure public safety rather than placing the burden of crime prevention onto potential victims.